Can you recommend any holiday companies that specialise in dancing holidays

Asks mollyprixe
A. One of the best in the UK can be found online at http://www.danceholidays.com.

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Q. What types of dance do they specialise in
A. They offer holidays that specialise in Arabic, ballroom, Brazilian, Ceroc, cocktail, flamenco, lindyhop, linedance, salsa and tango - at various destinations, including the following: Argentina, Cuba, France, Morocco, Portugal, Spain and the US (Miami and New York).

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Q. I'd love to learn the Tango - what would a Tango holiday involve

A. It would involve learning Argentian Tango - which is considered by those in the know to be the original and authentic form of the dance, and it should be distinguished from the American Tango as danced in the Latin and Ballroom world.� Dance Holidays hosts Tango holidays in Buenos Aires, home of the Tango, in addition to destinations in the US and Europe (New York, Paris, Granada, Sitges, Barcelona, Seville).

Depending on your personal expertise you can either book on as a beginner (and you'll earn the basic dance steps and have a good grasp of the fundamentals of Tango at the end of your week); an intermediary (where you'll concentrate on the tango embrace, rhythm and cadence, tango music, masculine and feminine roles in the dance and upper and lower body spaces); and advanced (where you'll learn different tango styles and expand your repertoire).� Complete beginners are advised to have a few lessons before their holiday.

You will also have time to pack in some sightseeing during your trip. Although Buenos Aires is the preferred destination for the aficionado, a European break can work out a lot cheaper and it will coincide with an International Tango festival in that city (Granada Tango Festival, March 2001; Sitges Tango Festival July 2001; and the Seville Tango Festival, September 2001) - for the full tango experience.

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Q. How much would a Tango holiday cost
A.� It depends on your destination, but European weekend breaks start from �299 per person, with a week in Europe costing around �495 per person. For the full Buenos Aires experience, prices start at �1550 per person.

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Q. What is included in this price
A.� Starting with the most expensive - your trip to Buenos Aires would include 4 Star hotel accommodation, including breakfast; return scheduled flights from London Heathrow; airport transfers; welcome drinks; 14 hours tango tuition; nights out dancing at Practicas and Milongas; and a bilingual holiday host.

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For a cheaper holiday, try learning the Tango in Seville. Prices start at �495 and for this you get an�eight day holiday (spaces are currently available for 8-15 October 2001) that includes return scheduled flights with Go from London Stanstead; airport transfers from Malaga, 7 nights B&B in a one-star hotel (with ensuite bathroom); welcome drinks;�a minimum of�four hours Tango tuition; and a bilingual holiday host.

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Q. Where did the Tango originate
A. It is said to originate from the brothels of Buenos Aires in the early 19th century, and has since then been mixed with Spanish, Italian, German and Latin American influences - traditionally it is meant to be a dance displaying sexual desire.

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Q. What if I wanted to learn Arabic dancing, would my holiday experience be the same - with similar prices and hotels
A. If you went on an Arabic dancing holiday you would visit Marrakech in Morocco, and prices start from �1,095 per person for an eight-day holiday (based on�two sharing). No experience is necessary before learning Arabic dance, holidaymakers are just advised to take their own scarves for tying round their head and hips! This is a more exclusive trip, as you'll get 5 star hotel accommodation at the Sheraton hotel, including breakfast; return scheduled flights; a ten-hour Arabic dancing course; and nights out accompanied by your bilingual host.

Actual dance lessons will cover technique, style, rhythm and melody and different types of Arabic dance, mainly Egyptian, but also folkloric, traditional, classical and Baladi.

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Q. Can you book any other specialist holidays
A. They also cater for Hen weekends in Barcelona. Prices start at �299 per person and for parties over 15, the bride goes free.

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Q. How would I contact Dance Holidays
A. The Dance Holiday Company Ltd - 12 Chapel Street North - Colchester - Essex - England C02 7AT - Tel: 01206 577000 - Fax: 01206570057. Internet:��http://www.danceholidays.com

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Q. Can you book dance holidays through any other operators online
A. Yes, a few other ones include http://www.swingdanceuk.com/holidays.htm� - which specialises in swing and lindyhop holidays;��

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http://www.cactuslanguage.com/travel/activityholidays/danceholidays.php� - which specialises in salsa holidays in Seville, Barcelona, Cordoba and even features Ski Salsa and Scuba Salsa activity holidays;�

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http://www.salsatap.com/dance-cuba/dance-cuba1.htm� - which specialises in Salsa holidays in Cuba.

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By Karen Anderson